Ninkasi Brewing Co. Recaps 2013 Donation Efforts

EUGENE, Ore.—Jan. 16, 2014—Established in 2012, Ninkasi Brewing Company’s Beer is Love program, has enabled the brewery to offer donations and support to non-profits and community organizations throughout all the states it distributes. In its first year, the program worked with more than 600 organizations throughout these six states. With another year under its belt, the program was able to offer support with more than 700 organizations — spanning from the brewery’s home state of Oregon, up to Vancouver, B.C. and down to San Diego, Calif. — donating a total of 790 barrels of beer to these organizations in 2013 alone.

Lead by Nicole Nelson, Beer is Love Northwest program manager, and Emilie Hartvig, Beer is Love California program manager, Ninkasi continues to grow and strengthen new and existing partnerships throughout the region.

Locally, the program enables the brewery to host two Pints for a Cause nights each week at the brewery’s tasting room, where a percentage of sales is given back to a selected organization. Regionally, the program outreaches to positive community organizations by offering beer, product, and even on-the-ground support for fundraising and internal events.

“The Beer is Love program means so much more than just donating beer,” explains Nicole Nelson, Beer is Love Northwest program manager. “It means that valuable community organizations are able to add an extra element to their fundraisers and raise more awareness about their mission through this partnership.”

Organizations like Eugene’s own FOOD for Lane County, have partnered with Ninkasi for several years. “We are grateful for the incredible support that Ninkasi has shown us through the years with the Beer is Love program,” says Alicia Hines, agency relations coordinator at FOOD For Lane County. “The money and exposure that they have given us has allowed us provide emergency food assistance to thousands people in need right here in our community.”

Officially launched in the state of California in the fall of 2013, the Beer is Love program has already worked with vital organizations in the state like Save Our Shores in Santa Cruz. “Our partnership with Ninkasi this past year was a great way for us to engage with our supporters and broaden our list of volunteers,” says Dayna Zimmermann, special events and development coordinator at Save Our Shores. “Having community events like the ones Ninkasi has supported this past year, are vital to keep our community engaged and help contribute to successfully raising the necessary funds to be out in schools and on the beaches reducing plastic pollution.”

“I can’t wait to see what new partnership we form in the coming year,” explains Emilie Hartvig, Beer is Love California program manager. “As long as people continue to perpetuate better living in their communities, we’ll be there to help support them.”

Founded in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi Brewing Company continues to grow from its first batch of Total Domination IPA, to a 55-barrel brewing system located in Eugene, Ore. Ninkasi’s Flagship beers—Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, and Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout—are sold throughout Oregon, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and British Columbia. The brewery remains privately-owned and is committed to community support and giving. Ninkasi’s Beer Is Love program offers in-kind donations and support for organizations throughout its footprint.

Ninkasi Brewing began on June 15th, 2006 when Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge spent 17 hours brewing their first batch of Total Domination IPA in leased space inside a German restaurant in Springfield, Or...